Nature Days is a 6-day programme for children to connect with the woodland and develop in five aspects (Social skills, Physical wellbeing, Intellectual ability, Creativity, and Emotional intelligence). It's a great opportunity for them to build their self-esteem and friendship with a wide variety of nature-based activities.
Dates: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11th August to 22nd August 2025
(11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, 20th and 22nd August 2025)
Time: 13:00 - 16:00 (3 hours)
Location: Alderney Community Woodland
Meeting point: New Town Road (near Blanchard)
What3words: ///alerts.graduated.wingspan
Activities in the programme include:
- Connection with the woodland, learning about wildlife and plants
- Free child-led play
- Nature-based games: Games with an element of numeracy and literacy improvement
- Art and craft: Create toys, art and crafts
- Tool use: Learn to use some tools (e.g. butter knife and silky saw) safely under adult supervision
- Safe fire-lighting and extinguishing
For children from 6 to 10 years old. The priority will be given to those who can commit to all 6 days and haven't been to a Forest School Programme before.
This programme will be led by Thanh Doan, Forest School Trainee and supported by Abigail de Castella, certified Forest School Leader.
Sycamore / Thanh Doan
Common Carder Bee / Thanh Doan
Den building / Thanh Doan
Wildlife sightings board
Knot learning / Thanh Doan
Create a toy of your choice
Fire lighting / Thanh Doan
Try outdoor cooking / Thanh Doan
Full 6-day Nature Days programme
Day 1: The woodland is waiting to meet you
- Make new friends through icebreaker games.
- Connect with the woodland and get to know its residents (plants and animals) through a scavenger hunt.
- Log your sightings to the wildlife board.
- Design your basecamp with ‘camping creations’ (creating items/objects you may need for your time in the woodland).
- Learn knots at your own pace with our 3D guides.
Day 2: Tool use day
- Learn to use tools safely (under adult supervision).
- Build your confidence in tool use as you create something amazing - will it be a sistrum (a cool percussion instrument) or your very own designed woodland toy? The choice is yours!
Day 3: Hammock hangout and Den building
- Put those knot skills to the test by rigging a hammock between two trees.
- Team up to build your dream den—whether it's a teepee, a lean-to, or an A-frame shelter! Let your inner engineer shine as you design your perfect woodland hideout!
Day 4: Creative Day - Where nature meets creativity
Today is all about unleashing your creativity in nature! Choose your challenge: craft a magical 3D map of our Nature Days area, tell stories using story stones, or get crafty with natural materials. You could design a beautiful nature mandala, fashion a woodland crown or mask, transform sycamore seeds into delicate dragonflies, or even make your own feather quill pen!
Day 5: Introduction to fire lighting (and extinguishing)
- Introduction to fire lighting and fire extinguishing.
- Create your own nature obstacle course.
- Do something for nature!
Day 6: Campfire celebrations
Put your fire skills to the test by building a campfire. Cook up wild treats over the flames and celebrate your achievements around the fire with nature-inspired food and drink!
These activities are subject to change dependent on the weather and natural materials available on-site. The activities on each day can be moved to another day, depending on the child's choice. There's always time for good old-fashioned play in the woods.